Based on the life and murder trial of Alwyn Peter, an Aboriginal man who was released on parole after court consideration of his experiences at the hands of white law and welfare.
Epigraph:
In Queensland there have been created communities in which the incidence of homicide and very serious assaults is among the highest recorded and published in the world. To be a member of such a community one does not have to be mad or bad. One only has to be Aboriginal.
Defence lawyer Des Sturges, in his opening address in the trial of Alwyn Peter, 1982.
Our Aborigines live like kings. They are on clover.
Queensland Premier, Sir Joh Petersen, quoted in the press the same month.
In 1989, documentary film-maker David Bradbury produced a documentary, also called State of Shock, about Alwyn Peter's trial and conviction, which included footage of the stage play in performance. It is not an adaptation of the play.
First presented as a staged reading at the Australian National Playwrights Conference, Canberra, May 1984. A revised version for two actors was first produced at the Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney, 27 August 1986. Also produced by the Playbox Theatre Co., St Martin's Theatre, Melbourne, 1986. Radio adaptation 1991. Also produced by the Riverina Theatre Company in Wagga Wagga, NSW, February 1999 and at the Stables Theatre, Sydney, June 1999.
